When we think of asking today, it is often in the context of material things and self. But let us dive into the Scriptures to find the answer to the question “What can we ask for, from God?” The Bible tells us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, BSB, bold mine). So, we are to ask IN all things. ‘Yes, yes, but what does that really mean, Rehema?’ Well, let us look at some examples from the Bible.
Let us begin with looking to God when things do not work out as expected. After crossing the Red Sea, Moses led the Israelites into the wilderness as directed by the Lord. Then the unexpected happened, they walked for three (3) days without finding water, then they FINALLY found some at Marah. Boop! The unexpected happened, the water was too bitter to drink. You can imagine how bitter it was if people who had been in a hot and dry desert environment, without anything to drink for THREE days, together with their children, were unable to drink it. So disappointing! “So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened.” (Exodus 15:24-25, BSB, bold mine). When the unexpected happens in your life: a supplier or client or friend suddenly turns on the deal or unexpected hindrances pop up, do you turn to God? Or do you fret, or do all you can first, THEN turn to God when all else fails? See how the Lord brought a solution?
When you need emotional, physical and spiritual healing, do you look to God? In the gospels a lot of miracles involved people asking the Lord for healing, cleansing and deliverance. From the blind to the lepers to those oppressed by unclean spirits. Jesus is our healer and deliverer. In Him we are made whole.
Jesus not only healed them but also, forgave their sins thus giving them a new life and right standing with God. “Go, your faith has made you well”, “Go and sin no more”. When you have messed up, do you look to God to fix it? God from whom your help comes? The God who works in us to both will and do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)? Friend, cleansing, forgiveness of sin and walking in the ordinances of God are not things you can earn or do in your own strength. This is why David asked the Lord to create in him a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within him in Psalm 51.
In addition to that, do you know you can intercede for the healing, wholeness and salvation of others? Take the three friends who brought their lame friend before Jesus for healing by passing him through the roof. [Check Luke 5:17-39 for the whole story]. You can intercede for others, praying for their freedom from addiction, hardened heart, salvation, family, relationships, and emotional and physical healing. Sometimes, people do not have the will or strength to pray for themselves or seek for help. They are resigned to how things are. It may even seem like they do not care to get out of a certain situation anymore. That is not the moment to abandon ship, but to intercede for them fervently- not from a place of anxiety, but trust in God, and let the peace of God guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Now, if you are frustrated with the lack of change or an unexpected outcome, I would like to encourage you not to shut down, but bring the confusion, hurt, grief and anger before God. Prayer is never wasted. Sometimes people are healed in heaven, not on earth, no matter how badly we want them to be healed on this side of heaven. God in ultimate wisdom, chooses the location of healing. Sometimes, the person does not change, but you have NO IDEA, the effect your prayer had on the circumstances. A never changing truth is, “the effective prayer of the righteous person avails much” (James 5:16). Your prayers are not in vain. Even when the outcome is unexpected. Prayer changes, encourages, strengthens and edifies you, more than you know. (Some articles on grief here) _ if nothing else changed, the prayer changed you. Devote yourself to prayer and do so without ceasing.
Let us look at the Lord’s prayer from Luke 6:9-13, BSB
9So then, this is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
10Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
From this we see additional things for which we can pray: God’s will to be done, God’s kingdom to come, our daily bread, forgiveness of sin/trespasses/debts, to be led NOT into temptation, and deliverance from the evil one [the devil, Satan, diabolos, (insert other names)].
Do not shy away from asking, in EVERYTHING. From healing to a promotion to your daily bread, to intangible things like peace, a desire to honour God and happiness. Also, pray for others, your church, your country “Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”(Jeremiah 29:7, BSB), and your family. Pray beyond money and material things as we have learnt today. Pray for restoration of right worship, pray against injustices like over-taxation and gluttony, pray for the widows and orphans, pray for stability in health and wellness, and whatever else the Lord guides you to pray. Let us take off the lenses of narrowly praying only for ourselves and the material things, then sharply lamenting and “toughing it out” with everything else. Lay before God what only God can do. Stop trying to carry a mantle and burdens you were never meant to carry. You were never meant to be your own law, God, provision, healing, solution, forgiveness, righteousness, encyclopedia and wisdom. Cast your anxieties onto God because He cares for you. Take the problems to the Lord and wait for solutions.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, BSB)
Ours is to pray, God takes care of the rest. Seek first His kingdom, all these other things (material) will be added to you. I urge you to look up Scriptures and note down, one, what is yours to do, and two, what is God’s. For example, in “Give us our daily bread”, our daily bread comes from God. So that is on God’s end, not ours. But we will talk more about that in the next article: Asking God to open doors.
Written by Jeanne Rehema
Now let us talk about the open doors.